When we think of Berlin and its scent, unfortunately, rather unappetizing odors usually come to mind. But on Kantstraße in Charlottenburg, it smells wonderful—especially of good food. Alongside the many great restaurants, however, one shop smells particularly good: the 100-year-old traditional perfume manufacturer—Harry Lehmann. It is a legendary institution in Berlin—and likely even in the global world of fragrance—and is considered one of the smallest perfume factories in the world. Founded in March 1926 during the Roaring Twenties by Harry Lehmann and his father Eduard, the company looks back on an eventful history spanning nearly a century.
Perfume sold by weight and timeless classics
The concept was revolutionary from the very beginning and has remained unchanged to this day: high-quality fragrances, crafted in-house using traditional methods, are sold by weight (in grams). Customers can have the perfumes filled into bottles they bring with them or into refillable, hand-blown apothecary bottles.
The collection now includes over 70 unique fragrances that reflect the spirit of various eras—from historic classics such as “Eau de Berlin,” “Lindenblüte,” or the famous “Veilchen,” which Marlene Dietrich herself once purchased here, to modern creations.
A New Beginning and Expansion in Young Hands
After longtime owner Lutz Lehmann passed away in May 2022, this special piece of Berlin’s cultural history faced an abrupt end, and the store’s doors remained temporarily closed. But the tradition lives on. Two young Berlin-based perfumers have taken up this historic legacy and have been running the family business with great passion ever since . They preserve the old, secret original recipes and the unmistakable nostalgic charm, while gently guiding the brand into the modern era.
The fact that the company is thriving is also evident in its expansion. In addition to the legendary flagship store at Kantstraße 106 in Berlin-Charlottenburg, a second retail location has now even opened in Berlin-Mitte (Gipsstraße 13) to make the traditional art of Berlin perfumery accessible to even more people.
📍KANTSTR. 106 / 10627 Berlin
📆Tuesday–Saturday / 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
